When I ask Gucci Westman who had the biggest impact on her career as a make-up artist, she answers without missing a beat. “Grace Coddington.”Not just any Grace, but one of the most revered names in fashion and the former creative director of American Vogue.“I decided to move to New York and see if I could work in fashion because I’d done a lot of TV, commercials and movies in Los Angeles,” she recalls. “Grace booked me for two shoots, one of which was with the renowned fashion photographer Arthur Elgort. During both shoots, she was very quiet, and I had no idea whether she liked me. I was so nervous.“We were in a van on the way to the airport, and she got out. I was ready to say, ‘Bye, that was great,’ when she looked at me and said, ‘I haven’t seen talent like that since I discovered Pat McGrath. Now you’re part of my team, and you must never not be available for me.’“From that moment, my life completely changed.”She laughs as she remembers it. “I didn’t even have anyone to call because it was late in New York. I just got home, sat down and absorbed her words. I knew it was a moment. I worked on nearly every Vogue cover story for years afterwards and with every editor, but I always prioritised Grace. Working with her for so many years was an incredible experience. It changed everything.”Now in her 50s, Westman has built one of the most celebrated careers in make-up. She has worked with everyone from Patrick Demarchelier to Annie Leibovitz and perfected the complexions of Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett, among countless others. Known for her light-handed approach, mixing brushes with fingertips, she has become synonymous with skin that looks impossibly fresh, sculpted and glowing.That philosophy extends to Westman Atelier, which she launched in 2018 – a beauty line that reflects everything she’s learned over three decades in the industry.Westman Atelier make-up: 'I always wanted make-up that I loved wearing, that would feel good,' says Gucci Westman “I feel like my entire career has brought me to this point. I worked with Lancôme for five years as their global artistic director, and then with Revlon for eight years, and I always had this feeling in the back of my mind that I wanted to create my own products. Growing up, my family was really focused on wellness. We lived in an ashram before moving to Sweden when I was 10 [Westman is half Swedish] – and we weren’t allowed sugar or anything unhealthy. It was such a pain – I used all my lunch money to buy sweets.” She laughs.“I also wasn’t allowed to wear make-up. But all of that informed what I do now.”Westman Atelier make-up: 'I use a few things every single day' Creating make-up that performs like luxury cosmetics while functioning like skincare became her mission. “I wanted products that would replace everything in my make-up artist kit, but without all the ingredients I didn’t want and with skincare benefits at functional levels. I’m allergic to silicone, and I have rosacea, so I always wanted make-up that I loved wearing, that would feel good, and that I didn’t feel desperate to wash off.”That commitment meant refusing to compromise, even when formulators told her it couldn’t be done. “My husband actually took me outside the lab one day and said, ‘Okay, we have to use this ingredient at 20 per cent.’ And I said, ‘No.’ I didn’t want it. I always believe there’s a way – you just have to try harder and keep going.”The result is an intentionally edited collection built around enhancing rather than transforming. “It became really clear that I should take ownership of this idea of elevated, enhancing products that don’t feel overwhelming or intimidating. I didn’t want a huge line-up. I wanted women to think, ‘Okay, I can do that.’“I’m not interested in transformative products. That aesthetic was never attractive to me. I always wanted to look like myself.”Her own routine, unsurprisingly, follows this philosophy, and naturally, I have to ask what’s in her make-up bag.Westman Atelier Super Loaded Tinted Highlight (€80 from Space NK) Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick (€52 from Space NK) Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick (€72 from Space NK) “I use a few things every single day,” she says. “Vital Skin Foundation Stick, the concealer, our brow pencil, definitely the lip liner, Face Trace Contour and Super Loaded Tinted Compact in Peau de Pêche – that rosy highlight.“My face stays pretty much the same. It’s just the lip colour that changes.”For anyone yet to discover Westman Atelier, I ask: where should they begin?“Probably one of the sticks,” she says. “Face Trace Contour Stick, Baby Cheeks Blush and Lit Up Highlight Stick. They’re a really good introduction to the brand and our philosophy.”Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush (€52 from Space NK) Westman Atelier HydroBalm Tinted Lipstick (€55 from Space NK) Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick (€52 from Space NK) Interestingly, she says customers rarely stop at one product. “We’ve discovered people don’t come in and buy just one thing. They buy five or six because they understand the concept. It’s such a great feeling when someone tries one product, loves it and then comes back to discover everything else.”With the brand continuing to grow, I ask what’s next. “We’re going to expand into a few more categories,” she says. “There’s more skincare on the horizon. We’re having so much fun, and it’s such a great moment. The fact that people really appreciate it makes me so happy.”[ Five of the best bronzing products for a summer glowOpens in new window ]